A long wait for a fast train... and a tunnel of love?

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the latest piece in the federal government's plan for a high speed rail network linking the cities of eastern states.

The study puts the project's estimated cost at $114 billion, with construction starting in the late 2020's (after 15 or so years of planning and pre-construction) with first passengers on the 64-minute leg from Canberra to Sydney hopping on by 2035. Fares will be similar to flight prices, and expected speeds are around the 350km/h mark.

Significantly, the proposed network includes a tunnel under Mt Ainslie, which has traditionally caused some consternation amongst locals.

Elliott Dunn asked Canberrans if there were on board with the idea, or would rail against it. Of course, he wasn't quick enough to use those puns in his actual questions, as you can hear: